Night Pleasures: A Dark-Hunter Novel

In Night Pleasures, Kyrian of Thrace - an immortal who protects humans from vampires - wakes up one morning handcuffed to the one thing that can scare him: a conservative woman in a button-down shirt. But Amanda Devereaux turns out to be his perfect partner for hunting down a deadly foe, and for helping him to regain his soul and learn that love doesn't have to bite.

Dragonmark: Dark-Hunter, Book 27

Centuries ago, Illarion was betrayed - a dragon made human against his will, then forced to serve humanity as a dragonmount in their army, and to fight for them in barbaric wars, even while he hated everything about them. Enslaved and separated from everyone he knew and from his own dragon brothers, he was forced into exile in a fey realm where he lost the only thing he ever really loved.

House of the Rising Son

The eldest son in a family of three boys, Aricles had no desire to be a soldier, even though his fighting skills were among the best in the world. He was more than content on his small Atlantean farm, living a quiet, uneventful life. But when his brother is determined to don a soldier's uniform, Aricles joins him with a promise to their father to bring his brother home in one piece. What he never counts on is how much their new lives will forever change them or what the risk of a forbidden love will ultimately cost him.

Born of Legend: The League, Book 9

Hunted. Hated. Betrayed. Dagger Ixur is on the run for his life. As one of the most recognizable members of his royal house, he has a bounty on his head that guarantees him no quarter from any friend or even family. But surrender isn't in him. He will fight to the bitter end. A resolve that is sorely tested when he narrowly escapes a trap that leaves him severely wounded. With what he believes is his dying breath, he saves a boy born to an extinct race from a group out to enslave the kid for his legendary abilities.

Fantasy Lover: A Dark-Hunter Novel

"Being trapped in a bedroom with a woman is a grand thing. Being trapped in hundreds of bedrooms over two thousand years isn't. And being cursed into a book as a love-slave for eternity can ruin even a Spartan warrior's day. As a love-slave, I know everything about women. How to touch them, how to savor them, and most of all, how to pleasure them. But when I was summoned to fulfill Grace Alexander's sexual fantasies, I found the first woman in history who saw me as a man with a tormented past."

Infinity: Chronicles of Nick

At 14, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends - until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity.

Lady Vie says:"Fantastic Prequel/Sequel to the Dark Hunter Series"

Publisher's Summary

Sherrilyn Kenyon's most highly anticipated novel in the Dark-Hunter series since Acheron is here - the unforgettable story of Styxx, Acheron's twin brother and one of the most powerful beings on Earth. Just when you thought doomsday was over…

Centuries ago Acheron saved the human race by imprisoning an ancient evil bent on absolute destruction. Now that evil has been unleashed and it is out for revenge. As the twin to Acheron, Styxx hasn’t always been on his brother's side. They've spent more centuries going at each other's throats than protecting their backs. Now Styxx has a chance to prove his loyalty to his brother, but only if he's willing to trade his life and future for Acheron's.

The Atlantean goddess of Wrath and Misery, Bethany was born to right wrongs. But it was never a task she relished. Until now. She owes Acheron a debt that she vows to repay, no matter what it takes. He will join their fellow gods in hell and nothing is going to stop her. But things are never what they seem, and Acheron is no longer the last of his line. Styxx and Acheron must put aside their past and learn to trust each other or more will suffer. Yet it's hard to risk your own life for someone who once tried to take yours - even when it's your own twin. And when loyalties are skewed and no one can be trusted, not even yourself, how do you find a way back from the darkness that wants to consume the entire world? One that wants to start by devouring your very soul?

WOW . I love the Dark Hunter series and have listened to each of the books too many times to count. So I felt I had a pretty good grasp on all of the characters. The story of Styxx is so devastating that I was depressed. It shook me and made me absolutely nauseated about the damage of making assumptions concerning other people’s reality. I had to turn off the audio-book calm down and reflect on my own life and the relationships I have with those people in my life. I know these are just fictional characters in a story but I was so shook up by the view point I had towards Styxx verses what his reality actually was that I cried and cringed through the whole thing. Sherrilyn Kenyon did a wonderful job at showing us that there can truly be three sides to every story …..Yours …….theirs…. and …..the truth which lies somewhere in between. I think she did a wonderful job at creating a story with a moral theme we can take away with us in our everyday lives. To rephrase a quote by Urian …”Good job sister…..good job!

I would definitely listen to parts of this book again. As usual, Sherrilyn Kenyon has woven threads of an overarching, and very complex, storyline in among the details of Styxx's life. I have a feeling I'm going to need to re-read just to get the details straightened around in preparation for the next book--which was foreshaddowed at the end of this one.

However, I won't deny that the first half of this story really seemed to drag. Of course, Kenyon had to go back and retell the entire story of Acheron's human life from Styxx's POV in order to explain everything we saw in that book, and redeem Styxx's character. She does a fantastic job of providing plausible explanations for evrything that goes on--it just takes a really long time, and while I appreciate her attention to detail I did find myself getting rather bored. The second half of the story picks up the pace quite a bit, and if youc an stick it out to the end you'll really appreciate the careful and intricate crafting of the book as a whole.

What did you like best about this story?

I read once on Kenyon's website that she didn't want to give Styxx his own book until she could find a way to forgive him for what he supposedly did to Acheron. In this novel, she not only transforms Styxx from a villain to a tragic hero, but also shows us some of Acheron's own character flaws in a completely credible way. In this world of gods, demigods and other supernatural beings there are no one-dimentional characters. The most malicious can be kind, and the most benign can cause devistating harm. While Kenyon's world has rules, it is never static, which usually makes her books pageturners and full of surprises.

I also appreciated the fact that Kenyon didn't put us through pages and pages of back and forth sniping between Styx and Bethany, which to often happens in romances. They pretty much fell in love at first sight and stayed that way, which allowed the story to develop around their love in stead of being distracted by their interpersonal antics.

Any additional comments?

It probably goes without saying, but do not, do not, do not read this book if you haven't been following this series from the beginning. There are way too many characters and way too much backstory--you'll miss the best parts of the story if you're scratching your head going "who's that guy?" If you've been following this series, I really think this is one of the better books, despite the rather slow start. Stick with it, and you'll really enjoy.

Damn this was hard to read, but I couldn't put it down. Acheron has always been my favorite character in the Dark Hunter series and I looked forward to reading a book about his life, but I never thought it would be so heart wrenching, it was so difficult to read. But, at least the second half was positive and fun. I felt his romance with Tory was touching and believable and I was happy for him by the end of the book. But, good grief, I can't say that about poor Styxx. While I was reading Acheron, I though he would have done better without his "loving" sister Rissa. She was an idiot who cause him so much trouble. But I was really take aback by her truly horrendous treatment of Styxx. What a mean spirited harpy.

Ninety percent of this book was one long gut wrench that never let up. After wading thru hours and hours of his unending pain and suffering, the ending seemed too rushed, too short. Yes, it was interesting, the way everything came together, very clever. But, I needed more redemption and happiness than the bone Ms. Kenyon tossed us at the end. I'm glad I read it, but I won't read it again.

Further answering the Styxx and Acheron origins from Styxx's perspective. This missive fills in an few unanswered questions as to how deep their uncle's treachery had gone. Also, this cast a far different picture of their sister than ever before. To the point of "My GOD that is not their sister. That is their mother!"

What did you like best about this story?

All portions of the story were well written and masterfully researched. This Lady writes even beyond the levels of the "Great Master's."

What about Fred Berman’s performance did you like?

When does he go on a Audio Book signing tour? He was as always in his performances, excellent and nearly with out equal.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!!!!! But, 30+ hours makes it kind of hard to do so. Excellent Book, when is the next one?

I would listen to Styxx again. This book is an incredibly polarizing book within the fandom of Ms. Kenyon and her Dark Hunter world. Yeah, it's a lot of Ash's story, but that's a given, people. They're twins, they live in the same house, same sister, same father, same a-hole uncle who used them. Same tortured lives.

I get why some people are annoyed and swearing off Kenyon's books. She beats the crap out of the protagonist, but that's what makes them approachable. That's what makes these immortal bad asses accessable to people like me, who hesitate to kill that annoying fly that keeps buzzing around my Dr. Pepper. I get it. I also get why she write them like this. It'd be too easy if everything came well for them.

There definitely could've been less abuse, but for Styxx's character, it needed to be developed that way. There's going to be more stuff with him and Ash, there has to be. The way the book ended, there's no way that there can't be. It's not a happy ending with all the loose ends tied up, but that's how all her books are.

Mr. Berman's a great narrator. He did a nice job. I'm so glad he didn't squeal when he did Simi's voice like he did in DwtD. That hurt my ears.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did cry in several spots, so don't listen to this book for the first time in public. Again, I was embarrassed in Starbucks when I burst out in tears while ordering my hot chocolate. By now, they're used to my outbursts and just write me off as listening to another book. They often ask what's the newest book to listen to, so I've become the book reviewer for them.

Urian, damn bloody sod, made me cry a lot, just because he was so sweet to Styxx. Then, the twist at the end with Urian and Styxx... Gods below, that broke my heart.

Any additional comments?

Artemis and Apollymi deserve each other, bitches. Hopefully, they'll get killed off, but I don't know how. How great is that, an author can write characters who are so hated by her fandom that we all want to see them roast for their collected sins against other characters?

Ash and Styxx will work it out, eventually. I have to believe that.

The next book should be softer, I hope. There's only so much abuse I could handle until I had to listen to something else. I trust Kenyon, as these are her characters. Look at J.R. Ward's Brotherhood books. Everyone thought she was off track with Torh's book, but then Qhuinn's book was right back on track. Maybe Kenyon had to shred these characters to get them to a better place, like Ward did. Leap of faith, people. That's all these awesome writers need. Take it and if you don't like what happens in the next books, try someone else.

I know I'll get backlash from this review, but if you're on the fence about this one, try it first with an open mind. If you don't like it, you can blame me. It's all good. I'm used to it.

I would and I will! This story has so many twists and turns that it was like riding a rollercoaster! My emotions were all over the place, and I loved every minute of it!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Styxx?

When Acheron was reading Ryssa's diary with Soteria.

What does Fred Berman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Where do I begin. He brought it to life! His characterizations and voices were so flawless that I forgot he was only one person narrating. He is just that good! Also, I had the ebook companion and I definitely found I enjoyed the narration better.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were many! However, I cried hard when Styxx described lying alone in his room, feeling isolated from his brother, sister and nephew who were in the next room laughing. Wow! What a powerful image of a lost and neglected child!

Any additional comments?

Ms Kenyon did the impossible with this book. She actually had me disliking Acheron! That is huge! He has been the hero since the beginning, and now I see that like all hero's he has flaws that hurt not just himself, but his own brother. Wow! The other thing I admire about Ms Kenyon is that she could keep this book and all her books so consistent while continuing to unravel an ever evolving plot is nothing short of amazing to me! I can't wait for the next installment!

I have had an attachment to Dark Hunter characters, as well as others from this author. I just have to say that with the increase in violent sexual, physical, and psychological torture of children, At first I was sympathetic to the story in every way, but I am no longer able to enjoy the books any longer. Styxx, and Darling's detailed, and repetitive dialog visiting these issues has just sucked the magic right out of these stories right along with the witty banter which has all but vanished.

I feel as though the author may be exorcizing some demons she, or someone she knows has suffered. Suffering of this kind deserves a voice, but now that it is the primary theme of all the books, I can no longer spend my money on it. The stories are all sounding the same, and tend to drone on, and on. There is no entertainment value for me in this anymore.

This narrators performance is flawless. I don't know how he can keep getting through this constant content so perfectly. Bravo!

Warning 1: If you haven't read books from this series, this is NOT the one to start with. Go back, way back, pre-Acheron and start the series.

Warning 2: If you have read the series, as I have, be prepared. Do you remember how Acheron's book came with a warning? Kenyon prefaced it with a message along the lines of, "This is not my usual book. The first half is hard to read..." Well, THIS book should have had a warning as well. If reading/listening to the first half of Acheron was hard for you to handle, take the awful, painful, desperate sense you remember from it and multiply it by ten. Then experience it for the first THREE-FOURTHS of this book.

This is a LONG listen. Four parts, over 8 hours each, which I will round to approximately 32 hours of listening time. Do the math...that means that for over 24 hours of your life, a FULL DAY, you will be listening to the horror that Styxx lived growing up. Then, when you get to part four, you will hope the happily ever after part of the story will begin. It doesn't. It moves to present time period, but the payoff for all the suffering you have endured won't really begin until the last five hours left in the book.

Sigh. That is a long time of suffering for little payoff. Don't get me wrong. It isn't bad writing or bad narration that you are enduring. They are both so vivid that you feel like you are actually experiencing some part of the awful life Styxx had. If this had been a book, I would have skimmed it. But you can't really do that on audio.

I can't stress it enough in my warning. It is as if Kenyon sat down, wrote a list of every awful thing that could happen to a person, and sat about weaving it into a grief- and pain-filled story. I can never say that I liked this book. I liked the last five hours, and I'm glad I know what happened. But I would have much rather been able to skim the awful parts. There's only so much rape, treachery, abuse and neglect I can read about...

Here's hoping the next book is a little lighter on pain and a little heavier on action and romance.